Med Board Review
I have only just gone through the Med Board review process, although I had been advised not to bother as no-one ever wins their case. I had knee problems which resulted in an op on each in successive years, 2008 and 09. In 2010 I was permanently downgraded to L3, unfit running, and given the chance to leave or to continue in sevice if I wished. I chose to continue in service. I did not immediately realise the implications of accepting L3. I continued to achieve fitness standards, using the rockport walk, but would still run without any discomfort, although I confess to steering well clear of the MSFT.
During my fairly recent time in recruitment, I used to chat to the Reserve cell at Cranwell, and they knew of my plan to look for FTRS employment at the end of my career. They advised me that the minimum medical requirement for the Reserves is L2, at which point I instigated my plans to appeal my downgrade. My desire was supported by the docs at Linton (the original advice not to bother came from Cranwell), and also by the Occ Med wg cdr (ironically at Cranwell) who was a former Med Board president. He said I had a great case.
Meantime I have been offered an FTRS post, and have presented a case for me to carry L3. This has been accepted by Command Reserves, after some delay, as long as I carry on passing the RAFFT. I still pursued the upgrade, something to do with personal pride wanted me to be upgraded.
The doc who examined me at Henlow twisted my knees in all directions and put me through a range of tests, and told me that he would recommend to the Board president that I be upgraded. However, the president did not agree. he said that I had already had problems with my knees, and that even though I was fit enough to hold L2 at the moment, it was his duty to ensure that future problems were delayed as long as possible. Therefore no upgrade. Furthermore, he tried to impose a further limitation of exempt fitness test. He was well aware of my circumstances and the possible effects on FTRS employment. I argued with him about the exemption and got him to agree that I be allowed to continue to do the RAFFT doing the RW. He changed the limitation to unfit impact exercise.
Draw your own conclusions from the above, abridged, story. The irony is, I have been putting myself through the Cooper test (the mile and a half run as in IOT days) in lieu of the MSFT and have been consistently achieving dark blue. I am certainly fit enough for active service. I am rather proud of that, considering that I will be 54 in about 2 months. I have my FTRS post secured, at least for the initial contract period. I may find in 4 years time that my L3 will lead Command Reserves to re-advertise. I'll cross that bridge as and when.